Look, I get it. Prestige matters. Your uncle Bob will say, “Oh, so you’re a self-published author?” and you’ll want to throw a book at his head. But Amazon Publishing is traditionally published—it’s just owned by the devil you know. Don’t let Bob’s narrow view stop you from making a living.
Want a dirty secret? Many Big Five authors are switching to Amazon Publishing for better margins and faster release schedules. They just don’t brag about it at cocktail parties. You’re in good company.
Final thought (and a slight confession)
I started this article by laughing at Tom. But I also have a confession: I judged Amazon Publishing too. I thought it was for people who couldn’t “make it” in traditional publishing. Then I made $3,000 in my first month and shut up. Now I have three books with them. I’m not saying it’s perfect—some imprints have support that feels like emailing a robot—but it’s a real path.
So if you’re sitting on a manuscript, stop polishing it for the hundredth time. Go look up the guidelines for Lake Union or Thomas & Mercer. Or, you know, keep waiting for that email from a sleepy editor in New York. Your call. But while you wait, I’ll be over here, actually published.
